Protect the Greater Grand Canyon From Toxic Uranium Mining

Urgent Action Request

Dear Mr. Florence:

I strongly support the proposed mineral withdrawal. The Grand Canyon watershed is ecologically significant and provides important water resources to the western states. The threats posed by uranium mining are unjustifiable in such an important area.

Congress is considering pieces of legislation this year that could reform the 1872 Mining Law, change uranium mining on public lands to a leasing mechanism, and permanently withdraw the lands surrounding Grand Canyon National Park from mining. Until Congress decides how to best permanently protect the Grand Canyon watershed from uranium mining, BLM should withdraw these lands from new mining claims.

Mining companies have been allowed to run roughshod over our public lands, without proper environmental protections and without giving the American people a fair return for use of our lands. I urge BLM to protect our significant landscapes, such as the Greater Grand Canyon, from the adverse effects of mining by withdrawing the surrounding lands from mineral exploration and mining.

Thank you for the opportunity to comment.

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